EXETER — The Exeter Theater Company (ETC) has named Dianne Wieler of Exeter and Allison Battles of Plaistow as chairs of the IOKA Century Campaign, which will raise $4.6 million to purchase, renovate, and reopen the historic IOKA Theater in downtown Exeter.

“We couldn’t ask for a stronger fundraising team,” said ETC board chair Tony Callendrello. “Dianne and Allison each bring a unique set of skills to the project that will allow us to simultaneously pursue community, corporate, and foundation support.

Dianne Wieler has held positions at Leadership Vancouver, the Canadian Breast Cancer Society and Simon Fraser University, in Vancouver, Canada. She is an active member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, and has held the positions of Membership Chair and Corresponding Secretary. Currently she is the GFWC NH State Chair for Public Policy. She has served on the board of Rockingham Community Action and the local Head Start Policy Council. Most recently she spearheaded a successful campaign to stop the closure of the Newmarket and Epping Head Starts.

“As an Exeter resident for the past eight years, I have heard many heart warming stories about first dates and fun family times at the IOKA,” said Wieler, “it’s an honor to play a role in making the IOKA the jewel of Exeter once again.”

Allison has worked at Phillips Exeter Academy for the last seven years in the Office of Institutional Advancement. She earned her BA in English at UNH in 2002 and is currently working toward her MBA in Marketing at Southern New Hampshire University.

“In my interactions with alumni of Phillips Exeter and members of the Exeter community,” said Battles, “I’ve learned what a valuable part of the community the IOKA once was and what it can be once again.”